I loved my 2000 lexus RX 300, .but 2 years ago the transmission had to be replaced ($3000) (we were stranded in the desert for 3 hours waiting for the tow truck in 107 degrees. Now we have 156,000 miles on the car and a month ago it completely stopped on the freeway. (we could have been hit by speeding passing cars it was frightening) fortunately my husband was driving. It was Towed to our mechanic whose diagnosis was that I need new engine. He doesn't know why it stopped. ITls Dead he said. There is gas in the oil. He offered us $1000 for it or we could donate it and just buy a new one. I'm really disappointed thought these cars would last 200,000 miles. I could tow it into the dealer and they would look at it staring at $300 (but gas in the oil scares me.... Maybe its just a sensor that stopped - It was well maintained. Did the 2000 RX have problems? Have been looking at other SUV's (SRX or MDK) but I really loved my lexus..Any advise or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you
by the way I never post anything so this is a first
daisy2000

 

Welcome to forum daisy2000. Was there any kind of smoke coming from the engine if you remember? You noted the car was well maintained, I think you should take the car to good mechanic shop. Can you turn on any lights or so? Thanks.

 

Sorry to hear about your misfortune.

Being mechanical beasts, things can go wrong and it can be minor or a major problem. While growing up, as a family we were stranded for a night in between cities. The problem was a minor hole is $0.01 pipe.

Are you sure it is gas in the oil and not coolant in the oil? If it is coolant then it can be the head-gasket issue. Usually this happens due to overheating.

If there is oil-gelling issue the repair is bit more extensive.

But I am getting ahead of myself. The question you have to face is how much money you want to invest in diagnosis? Find a good and honest mechanic.

Salim

 

Piston rings or valve seals going bad would create a venue for the gas mixing w/ the oil. Might be caused by engine oil sludging which most likely call for a engine rebuild or short block replacement. Both costly options.

Did your mechanic remove the valve cover? This would be the easiest way to check for sludge. Me, if it were to be sludge, I'd look for another car.

 

I would definitely get a second opinion. If the car truly was "well maintained" Lexus might chip in for repairs.

 

Yeah if it is sludge and Lexus dealer was doing the oil changes I would definitely take it up with them.

"our mechanic whose diagnosis was that I need new engine. He doesn't know why it stopped. ITls Dead he said. There is gas in the oil."

Daisy2000, I'm guessing here that the mechanic is the one you always "go to" whenever there's something needs to be fixed and you find him competent and trustworthy. But to tell you it needs a new engine but doesn't know why, is kinda ambiguous don't you think. How did he know there was gas in the oil? Gasoline will blend in the oil and be hard to detect unless there's a distinct odor or if enough gas was present and he did a oil change you could see it floating on top the oil. If gas finding paste was available it would be a better way to check. Was your car behaving oddly before the incident? Like, loss or of power, engine check light, oil pressure light, engine temp light or as someone suggested smoke from your exhaust.

 

Easy, get another mechanic who knows what he's doing!!

 

X2! hyper called it like it is!

 

Hi and our sincere thanks to you all for your responses and helpful advise...There was no warning with smoke from the engine. We can turn the lights on. The gas smell is in the oil. The car was maintained by our mechanic instead of the dealer which I now regret...so we need to move on....

We will have it towed to the dealer and hVe it checked out...

thank you all again for your help...I was wondering if anyone heard of the 2000 RX having problems with their transmissions...at any rate it doesn't matter at this point I'm done and getting a new Car....


We have Decided to buy a new SUV...looked at a beautiful 2011 RX...

Now my concern is the rising gas prices...so probably will lease.....

 

Sorry to hear about your car. Could you post a follow up on what the dealership thinks is wrong with your car. If you got receipts showing the regular scheduled maintenance on the car maybe they could still be of help, whether for repairs or getting another car. You could even bring it up to your local Lexus warranty representative if the dealership refuses any compensation (this may not help though but worth a try). Give them a really "sob story" saying your trust in getting another Lexus has been compromised and similar things like that.

I think issues with the 2000 RX's transmission has been posted here but others may chime in with that.

Leasing sounds like a good idea. I think high gas prices will be part of everyday life from now on. We may see a dip but it will generally remain high. So keep up with the latest news of vehicles providing higher miles per gallon or even all electric ones.

Are you looking on getting the hybrid RX? About $4k more but on a lease may make very little difference. Not much improvement mpg wise but still worth considering.

 

We love our vehicles but some where one has to be realistic ...
2000 yr model with 150,000+ miles.

That is 11 yr old model with almost 3x base warranty miles.

Edit Add on:

As I reread my post, I would like to clarify ...
IMHO: Dont expect too much from the dealership, Now if your warranty expired recently, you have some grounds to ask for assistance.

Salim

 

Was timing belt replaced on the Lexus scheduled maitenance?

 

I remember being sent a recall letter from Lexus about sludge getting into the engine and they were repairing it no charge but that was around 2006 when they sent out the notice and mine is a 2001 RX300, maybe this could be associated with your problem.

 

Yes, the RX300 was reported for both - sludge and transmission issues.
I am fastidious about doing synthetic oil changes and well as a pan drop transmission fluid and filter change at 30K to 40K. It now has 210K miles. Runs well. Good paint and good interior.